Preston 56. Mr. Thorne asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many males and females were unemployed in the Preston travel-to-work area in the years 30th September 1973 to 30th September 1978, respectively. Mr. Golding The numbers registered as unemployed are counted on a selected date in each month. The following table gives the numbers unemployed in the Preston travel-to-work area in September each year from 1973 to 1978:--------------------- | | --------------------- |10th September 1973| --------------------- |9th September 1974 | --------------------- |8th September 1975 | --------------------- |9th September 1976 | --------------------- |8th September 1977 | --------------------- |14th September 1978| --------------------- Mr. Thorne asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average length of time that (a) a notified general vacancy and (b) a notified skilled tradesman (engineering) vacancy exists at the Preston jobcentre before such vacancy is filled, for the period 1st January 1978 to 30th September 1978. Mr. Golding I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission, which is responsible for the operation of job centres, that this information could be supplied only at disproportionate cost. Mr. Thorne asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers of general vacancies for males and females notified to his Department's (a) main Preston employment office and (b) Bamber Bridge, Preston office, at 30th September 1977, 31st December 1977, 31st March 1978, 30th June 1978 and 30th September 1978. Mr. Golding I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission, which is responsible for the operation of local employment offices, that notified vacancies are, with certain very limited exceptions, open to either sex. The total number of vacancies notified to the offices concerned and unfilled on the statistical dates closest to the dates specified were:------------------ | | ------------------ |7th October 1977| ------------------ |6th January 1978| ------------------ |7th April 1978 | ------------------ |30th June 1978 | ------------------ |6th October 1978| ------------------